Window scaffold



v. M. FOWLER WINDOW SCAFFOLD original Filed Oct. 17. 1925 Sept. 28, 1926.

Patented Sept. 28, 1926.

urn Tee s'TArss vroron 1a. FOWLER, or spouse, wismaeeoa.

wriwmw sunsets;

ltpplicatioii' filed October 17, 1 925. Serial 1%. 63,051.

My present invention relates to improvements inwindow scaifolds of the type employing a shelf or platform and detachably secured to a window for the purpose of supporting a person washing windows, glazing, etc. The invention also: contemplatesthe use of an element supported by the window frame and located within 3 the building, which element is extensible to suit different widths of windows, and the implement has an outside supporting strut or brace extended from the platform or shelf to engage the wall of the building below the window to maintain the platform or shelf in horizontal position. I

Means are provided wherebythe supporting strut may with facility be positioned for use as a brace and then looked against displacement, the weight of the load on-the platform aiding in maintaining the implement in correct position. The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangement of parts involving the platform and strut as will hereinafter be more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention'wherein the parts are combined and arranged in accordance with the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a' perspective view of the scaffold of my invention supported in position for use and showing in dotted lines a portion of window and building wall.

Figure 2 is a detail view showing the manner of ancl ioring one of the adjustable side rails of the platform.

Figure 3 is a detail viewshowing one of the strut locking-cams.

Figure l is a detail View partly in section showing the extensible, telescoping, supporting member.

In the drawings I have designated in dotted lines a window casing C and a building wall N with which the improved scaffold of my invention is adapted to coact. The scaffold is preferably made upof metal strips or plates in tubular form, angle irons, or plane fiat straps to insure rigidity, lightness, durability and strength, and the plat form or rigid shelf of the scaffold comprises a pair of side bars 1 and 2 preferably of angle iron, with flat cross straps 8 riveted thereto and spaced apart the required distance. A central longitudinal bar 4 is also used in connection with the side bars and the cross slats or straps 3' are also secured thereto at their centers. At 5 the inner ends of these side bars and the center bar are connected to a supporting bar indicated as a whole by the'numeral 6, which supporting bar is extensible and adapted to extend across the window space and bear against the two sides of the casing as indicated in Figure 1, as an anchor for the scaffold supported eX'teriorly of the building,

In Figure 4 it will be seen that the extensible supporting bar is made up of telescoping parts including an inner bar 7 and a central collar 8 fixed thereon. At the sides of the collar two tubular sections 9 and 10 are carried, said section's having flanges 11 at their inner, adjoining ends, and being adapted to slide on the bar 7 to adjusted position where they are secured in suitable manner.

"With the horizontally disposed platform resting on the window sill and supported from the interior by the supporting bar 6, it is maintainedin horizontal position by means of a strut or brace 12, preferably made u of angle iron in a U-sha pe of which the cross member 13 forms bearing bar for engagement with the building wall beneath the window.

This U-shaped' strut is suspended below the platform by means of a pair of side links 14 which are pivotally connected to he respective sidebars of the platform and to the side members of the yoke or strut 12.

At their outerends' the arms of the strut are cut away to form flat plates 15 and angular shoulders 16, and these shoulders are -desi 'ned to engage in sel ctive pairs of notches 17 in the lower edges of the side flanges of the angle iron side bars 1 and 2. The strut as suspended from the platform and engaged with the building wall, by its engagement with the notched side bars maintains the platform in proper position.

For locking the strut in place and at the same time providing a guard rail at the outer end of the platform I utilize an upright inverted U-shape yoke 18 to which the ends 15 of the strut are pivoted at 19, near the platform. The lower ends of the yoke arms, below the pivots 19 are fashioned as cam heads 20, which as seen in Figure 3 are designed to engage the outer end of the platform and particularly the upper faces of the side bars between a pair of cross slats. With this yoke turned down toward the window, the shoulders 16 may be slipped into their notches 17, then by turning the yoke to upright position as in the drawings it will be apparent that the cam action draws the shoulders closely into the notches and the strut is rigidly clamped in position between the shoulders and the pivot points 19. Should a person on the scaffold lean against the top bar of the yoke, which bar performs the function of a rail, it will be apparent that the result will be to further tighten the clamped connection, in case the yoke is moved by such pressure.

The yoke however is also retained in upri ht position against movement by means of a pair of side rails 21 which perform the functions of side guards for the platform. These side rails are pivoted at 22 to the yoke near its top cross bar and they are inclined downwardly as they extend toward the window. At their inner ends the side rails are fashioned with looking pins 23 projected toward each other from the inner sides of the rails and as these ends of the rails lie outside the side bars 1 and 2, the pins are adapted to be passed into selected pairs of holes 2 1, two series of which are arranged in the side bars. By selecting the proger pair of holes and inserting the pins therein the yoke and strut may be fixed in adjusted position to properly support the platform.

To prevent accidental displacement of the pins from their holes I provide the side rails with angular shaped guard plates 25 which fit over and against the inner edges of the angle iron side bars 1 and 2, as seen in Figure 2.

The adjustments for the platform are preferaby made from the interior of the buiding, before any weight is placed on the platform, and when so adjusted and extended outside the window the scaffold is rigidly and sufiiciently braced to form a solid support for the workman thereon.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a platform and an inside supporting bar, .of a U-shaped strut pivotally suspended from said platform and detachable means for engaging the outer end of the strut with said platform, a U-shaped yoke above the platform pivotally connected to said strut, means on said yoke for co-action with the platform for locking the strut in position, and means for supporting said yoke.

2. The combination with the notched side bars ofa platform, of a U-shaped strut suspended therefrom and provided with locking shoulders to engage said side bars, a U- shaped yoke pivoted to said strut above the platform, and means on said yoke for coaction with the platform for locking said strut in position,

The combination with the notched side bars of a platform, of a U-shaped strut and pivotal suspending links connecting said strut and side bars, locking shoulders on said strut for engagement with the notched side bars, a U-shaped yoke pivoted to said strut above the platform, and a pair of cam heads on said yoke for co-action with the platform for locking the strut in position.

The combination with a'platform having notched side bars, of a U-shaped strut and pivotal links connecting said bars and strut, locking shoulders on said strut for engagement with the notched side bars, a U- shaped yoke pivoted to the strut above the platform, cam heads on said yoke for co action with the platform, and pivoted side rails on said yoke for retaining the yoke in position.

5. The combination with a platform having notched side bars, of a U-shaped strut, pivotal links connecting said bars and strut, locking shoulders on said strut for co-action with the notched bars, a U-shaped yoke pivoted on said strut above the platform, cam heads on said yoke for coaction with the platform, side rails pivoted to said yoke, locking pins on said rails for co-action with holes in said side bars, and guard plates on the ends of said side rails adjacent said pins.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

VICTOR M. FOWLER. 

